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Research Analyst, Survey Programmer - Kinder Institute for Urban Research (Finance)



Special Instructions to Applicants : In PDF form, applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research is seeking a Research Analyst, Survey Programmer to join its Houston Population Research Center (HPRC). The HPRC houses the Kinder Institute's survey work, which includes the Greater Houston Community Panel , and the Kinder Houston Area Survey - the longest running survey of any major metropolitan area in the nation. Individuals with experience and expertise conducting survey research are encouraged to apply. The Research Analyst, Survey Programmer will work with a team of other researchers to develop and administer quarterly surveys, analyze results, produce research briefs, reports, and presentations for local leaders, community organizations, and members of the community, as well as help elevate work into academic peer-review publications and professional conferences. The Research Analyst, Survey Programmer may supervise and guide student research assistants as well.

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research aims to improve lives through data, research, engagement, and action. The institute is currently working to build out five research centers focused on critical aspects shaping the social and cultural landscape of the Houston area. The five centers will research housing , education , community and public health, economic mobility and inequality , and population dynamics . Each center will investigate its particular topic area and will work across centers.To achieve this, each center is building interdisciplinary teams specializing in solutions-oriented research while using a research-practice partnership (RPP) model to jointly design, develop, and conduct research that values diversity in expertise and prioritizes the community in identifying and addressing some of the most pressing questions and challenges facing Houston and surrounding areas to inform decision-making and bring about systemic change.

The ideal candidate excels in advanced statistical analysis, research methodologies, and data management, with strong communication and project management skills to deliver impactful research in collaborative environments.

Workplace Requirements

  • Occasional travel
  • Evening and/or weekend work as needed

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work within Harris County and surrounding counties to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the proposed salary range is $66,000 - $69,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree (or foreign equivalent) in sociology, economics, other social science, public health or related field and completion of a University-level course, thesis, dissertation
  • Two or more (2+) years of experience in the following:
    • Data maintenance and analysis;
    • Maintaining quality control standards;
    • Quantitative methodology; and
    • Stata, SAS, or R.
  • In lieu of the education/experience requirement, additional related education and/or experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.

Skills:
  • Knowledge of software statistical packages such as Stata, SAS, R, or HLM
  • Excellent analytical and research skills
  • Ability to build reports
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including proofreading
  • Excellent presentation skills

Preferences
  • Master's degree (or foreign equivalent) in sociology, economics, other social science, public health or related field and one year of experience in the following:
    • Data maintenance and analysis;
    • Maintaining quality control standards;
    • Quantitative methodology; and
    • Stata, SAS, or R.

Essential Functions
  • Works collaboratively with research team on designing, testing, programming, reviewing, translating, administering, and analyzing survey research results
  • Leads the programming of online surveys using Qualtrics, including the handling of a longitudinal panel design
  • Sends surveys via email and text messages
  • Supports the distribution of incentives to survey respondents
  • Develops, edits, and expands communication materials for survey respondents and recruitment
  • Contributes to the development of research questions and the study design to answer them
  • Works with survey research team to hear from community organizations and leaders on topics to include in survey collection
  • Conducts research using sampling and complex survey weights
  • Participates in the dissemination and communication of research findings
  • Identifies, locates, and obtains extant data and information necessary for conducting research projects
  • Use quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies from the social sciences
  • Maintains and implement quality control standards for survey research projects
  • Facilitates planning, scheduling, execution, and completion of survey research projects
  • Runs statistical analyses using standard statistical methods and techniques
  • Codes and analyzes qualitative data to derive meaning from in-depth interviews or focus groups
  • Utilizes appropriate statistical software programs to conduct research
  • Verifies the accuracy and replicability of data analysis using scientific and numerical skills
  • Interprets and communicates research findings for various audiences and publications including research briefs, journals, and manuscripts, professional conferences, and data visualization graphics
  • Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions
  • Work with others to implement the translation of surveys into multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Vietnamese

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University. Apply

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